SIBU: This year's Sarawak Day celebration will be held in physical form at the Sibu Indoor Stadium here on July 22, after two years of a hybrid format during the Covid-19 pandemic.

       The event will begin at 8am, state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah told a press conference on Wednesday (June 15).

       She said Sarawak Day is one of the major events on the state's calendar and was first celebrated in 2016.

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       "July 22 has been declared a public holiday in the state so that the date will be observed by all Sarawakians as an important moment in history to spread the spirit of love for Sarawak," she said.

       Fatimah said the date marked the start of a period of about two months when Sarawak governed itself before forming the federation with Sabah and Malaya.

       As such, she said it should be remembered by every level of Sarawak society, especially the younger generation.

       "From that date, Sarawak built an understanding and consensus among its multiracial community in forming a united and harmonious state," she said.

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       She called on the public to fly the state flag at their respective premises in gratitude and celebration.

       "Hopefully, the Sarawak Day celebration this year will unite the people in appreciating the spirit of patriotism, the struggles of the past and also the present as we face various challenges.

       "Appreciate what we have achieved (on the way to becoming) a harmonious state," she added.

       The programme for July 22 includes a 30-minute Rosli Dhobi music theatre performance, a special song for Sarawak Day 2022, and a video screening of "The Lost Kingdom of Sarawak."

       A dance themed "Thousand Hands, Thousand Hopes" will also be performed.

       The public is invited to the Sibu stadium which is limited to a capacity of 800 for the celebration.

       The public can also watch the celebration live via the Ukas Facebook page or on the big screen at Dataran Tuanku Haji Bujang sibu.

       "A fireworks display will also take place at the town square," Fatimah added.